The Cockpit Of Solar Impulse Is Not For The Faint-Hearted

The solar-powered aeroplane Solar Impulse is heading toward one of the most difficult phases of its around-the-globe flight: crossing the Pacific Ocean. That means the pilot will have to sit for five days and nights in the confined cockpit of the plane. As you can see, it's not particularly luxurious.

The plane recently landed in Nanjing, China and the next flight is due to start on May 5, when Solar Impulse will take off for its seventh flight to Hawaii. The lonely pilot, Bertrand Piccard, will fly the zero-fuel aeroplane about 8172km (4412 nautical miles) for an estimated time of 120 hours. All the while, he'll be sat in the unpressurised cockpit where temperatures swing wildly between day and night, staring at the bank of displays and instruments shown above. Piccard is one amazing guy. [Solar Impulse]

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